Tioga Downs hosts 2-year old Tompkins-Geers trot

Tioga Downs held a special Thursday evening racing program with three divisions for 2-year-old trotting fillies and four divisions of 2-year-old colt trotters for the Tompkins-Geers stakes.

In the 2-year-old colt division, Flyhawk El Durado and Cat Manzi posted the fastest mile of the night winning in a new lifetime best of 1:57.3.

Flyhawk El Durado

Manzi got away third with Flyhawk El Durado as Consumer Rate (Jim Morrill Jr.) put up fractions of 28.3 and 58. Down the backside, Manzi moved Flyhawk El Durado first over through a third quarter in 29.2 as the field reached three quarters in 1:27.2. Around the final turn, Manzi still had plenty of work to do as the deficit was seven at the three quarter mark of the race. At the top of the stretch, Manzi was tracking the leader and used a 28.4 final panel to get up for victory by three parts of a length. Mark Ford trains the 2-year-old son of Conway Hall – El Paso Gal for Martin Scharf who recently purchased Flyhawk El Durado from his former connections. Consumer Rate (Jim Morrill Jr.) hung tough to finish second, while Fashion Crazy (Matt Kakaley) finished third.

In the 2-year-old filly trot, L Dees Scripture (Andy Miller) posted the fastest mile of the night in her first pari-mutuel lifetime start in 1:58.3. Andy Miller sent the 2-year-old daughter of Credit Winner – Graceful Way to the front through factions of 29.4, 1:00.3, and 1:30 before cruising home with a final panel of 28.3.

L Dees Scripture

Other division winner for the 2-year-old filly trot included: Love Detective – Jimmy Takter (1:59) and Winning Pursuit – Jim Morrill Jr. (1:59). Division winners for 2-year-old colt trotters included: Big Bang Hanover – Matt Kakaley (1:59.2), Credit Fashion – Matt Kakaley (1:58), and Starsaboveallerage – Paul Macdonell (1:58.4).    

Tioga Downs continues live racing action on Friday, July 19^th with a post time of 6:50pm when two-year-old pacers begin the "Geers" portion of the 2013 Tompkins-Geers Grand Circuit stakes.

Three divisions of fillies will race for a total of nearly $80,000 and they open the card with the full sister (Bettor's Delight x West Side Glory) to the sensational See You At Peelers, Gentlemen's Delight, a slight morning line fave for the Jimmy Takter barn. She led all the way to win a NYSS division at Monticello in 1:58- on Independence Day for owners Christina Takter and John & Jim Fielding. Yannick Gingras is in for the drive.

Division two (race 3) features another Takter debutante, Ali Blue. This American Ideal filly from Mint Julep Blue Chip has won both of her NYSS engagements, zipping around the Monticello oval in 1:56.1 for Gingras in her last. Mrs Takter owns this one as well in a partnership that includes John & Jim Fielding and RAW Equine, INC.

The sixth race offers the cleverly named Vitameatavegamin, an homage to the old I Love Lucy skit. She is an Art Major from Armbro Bijou who was second in her lone pari-mutuel engagement, a NYSS event at Yonkers. Tony Alagna trains her for the Eagles Soar Partners, Joe Sbrocco and Carver Stables and Tim Tetrick will drive.

The three $27,824 divisions for the colts will be races seven through nine. El Bloombito, reported to be a "term of endearment" for NYC Mayor Bloomberg, has the favorite's role in the seventh. The American Ideal x On The Arm colt has been third and second in the NYSS thus far for his owners the Stake Your Claim Stable, Camelot Stable and Fred Wallace. Linda Toscano and Tetrick will handle the racing duties.

Sand Gunner makes the foray east for trainer Tye Loy and drew the oddsmaker's eye in race eight. This homebred Sand Shooter x Ticket Counter gelding has three sharp Ohio qualifiers on his card and makes his pari-mutuel debut for owner Bill Sanders. David Miller is listed to drive.

The evening's stakes wrap with Doo Wop Hanover headlining the final division. This sharp Rocknroll Hanover colt from Deer Valley Miss went a deceptively good race in last week's NJSS final to grab the last check. Steve Elliott trains him for Rick Berks and Gary Piontkowski. Jimmy Morrill, Jr will do the driving.

Post time Friday is 6:50pm on Friday.